Excess skin removal has health benefits, surgeon claims

Saggy skin gained following weight loss should be removed to prevent patients from becoming "demoralised" and putting weight back on, a leading plastic surgeon has claimed.

Graeme Perks, President of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) said the health benefits of removing the skin was worth the potential £20,000 cost.

It comes after new guidelines were launched by BAPRAS and the Royal College of Surgeons addressing variation across England in provision of body contouring surgery.

Mr Perks told BBC Radio 5 live's Breakfast: "If you look at the cost to the health service of people remaining obese... that's probably a small price to pay."